AZI: Burial of a Selfish Lunatic

Towards Long Hua's question, Bai Wen replies—

"It's been this way since…-? Maybe a few centuries after Ling Yuan Zi had passed away?"

Adding to Bai Wen's reply, Zhen Qing Huai remarks—

"The Lin family bloodline branch, they're said to possess the highest amount of loyalty for the Ling Yuan Ancestor. They're also the ones that I talk to the most, since it's because of them that I'm able to do business using the Leng Bing Realm."

Turning to Zhen Qing Huai, Long Hua raises an eye, and asks—

"This Lin branch has this much sway?"

"It's because their branch head, Lin Han is a Quasi-Heaven Manifestation realm practitioner. …Portions of the sales income—made off the Leng Bing Realm items, are given to them. And it's because of us having this dealing that the Lin branch is able to not involve themselves with the Ling Yuan family's political affairs and power struggles—while still being able to acquire resources for their clansmen."

"That's to say, you're raking in quite a lot, aren't you, Lao Zhen?"

Towards the question, Zhen Rong replies—

"There's a city based around the Leng Bing Realm's technology in the Everlasting Spirit Realm, you should definitely visit the place if you ever miss this place's aesthetics, Long-shao. It's also our bloodline branch's main area of business operations."

"Hmm, interesting. Shall see then."

Inwardly Zhen Qing Huai heaves a sigh.

The name of the city is simply Leng Bing City, customers wise—it's mainly mortals with an abundant amount of practitioner circle currency.

That's to say, actual practitioner customers are somewhat in the minority.

Household furniture items aside, it's quite difficult to market items like clothing to practitioners, as most of them do not have much interest in trying something that is so wildly different.

In the past, they had made an attempt to market a mode of transportation to practitioners, but what's the point of a vehicle when the practitioners themselves are able to move with greater speed and efficiency?

At most, items of this nature would only serve as a way to show off one's wealth, instead of putting them to practical use.

That's not to say that the city's business is bad, but Zhen Qing Huai expected things to be much better than what it should be right now.

"…"

Sipping a cup of wine, Bai Wen with a smile of amusement on his face asks—

"Lao Long, how does it feel to play god?"

"…"

Downing a mouthful of wine, Long Hua replies—

"Feels like shit, and I can't wait to be done with this."

"But you practically have an Immortal realm practitioner's strength at your disposal right now."

Towards Zhen Qing Huai's remark, Long Hua shakes his head, and says—

"If more than a million years' worth of prayers amount to only this much, then it may as well be nothing. Also, a practitioner shouldn't be so quick as to rely on others. If they've encountered a wall—that is blocking their path, then they should be using their own strength to smash through it. Ideally, I want to become someone who can resolve everything in front of them with a single punch."

"And if a single punch isn't enough?"

Turning to Wu Xiao, Long Hua replies—

"Then I'll strike it again. And if a second punch isn't enough, then a thousand more. At some point, that wall needs to give."

"Long-shao, what's if there's another wall behind that one?"

"Then just repeat the process. Who cares if it's sturdier than the one from before? So long as you're alive to smash it, it will give at some point."

Towards this answer, a light of admiration appears in Zhen Rong's eyes.

"…Is going around the wall, not an option?"

In response to Yao Ying's question, Long Hua chuckles, and remarks—

"Maybe that's the smarter decision to make. However, a person like me, I hate taking the longer route if I don't have to. Besides, what if the wall's sides run for an infinite number of miles?"

"…"

Emptying his cup, Yun You remarks—

"How did that quote go again? Starts with—heaven has a road that can be walked through, and…-"

"Heaven has a road that can be walked through, and yet, you choose not to do so. Hell has no doors, but you choose to charge in regardless."

Raising a smile, Yun You directs a thumbs-up towards Nuo'er.

"That's also to say, just for the sake of proving how much of a man you are, you choose to deliberately take the hard way."

Shaking his head towards Wu Xiao's remark, Long Hua says—

"This doesn't have anything to do with being a man or anything like that. In the first place, I'm pretty sure my true self's gender is neutral."

"…?"

"…?"

Ignoring the odd looks that are being directed at him, Long Hua adds—

"I ultimately just enjoy seeing the look of despair on the faces of those who had built that wall for me to punch through."

Setting his cup down, Yun You says—

"I get it. It's a fetish, basically the same as how an animal would want to play with its food."

(Surnamed Yun is spot-on with that remark.)

Ignoring these remarks, Long Hua shrugs his shoulders, and asks—

"Anyways, any ideas—on who is even the one coming to fight me?"

"Wouldn't know."

"Ai, of the five elements, I'm still missing wood, fire, and earth…"

"…"

Narrowing her eyes, Wu Xiao heaves a light sigh. Although she had something to say, she finds it meaningless to do so.

"…"

Taking out a storage pouch, Yun You tosses it to Long Hua, and says—

"Pay up."

"…"

Catching the pouch, Long Hua tosses a few spirit herb cigars back.